A Journey from Beans to Cup - Indian Coffee Trail

Trip Overview

A trip to the four hundred year-old home of the country's best beans – Karnataka is India's definitive coffee country.

It’s where India’s coffee chronicle began about four hundred years ago when Baba Budan, a revered holy man, discovered the wonders of coffee on a trip to Arabia. Eager to share his discovery, he taped seven coffee beans around his belly, smuggled them into India and planted them near Chikmagalur. India’s coffee saga had begun.

  • DURATION

    09 Nights/ 10 Days

  • PLACES COVERED

    Bangalore, Chikmagalur, Coorg, Bangalore

DETAILED ITINERARY

  • Arrive Bangalore

    Namaste & welcome to India. Arrive at Bangalore International airport and meet our representative and straight transfer to your accommodation and get assisted in check in.
    Overnight stay

  • In Bangalore

    Commence your day with city orientation tour;
    Visit, Lal Bagh, the botanical garden spread over 240 acres and having a wide variety of exotic trees and plants, The VidhanSoudha which houses the State Legislative assembly and part of the secretariat, Tipu Sultan’s Palace constructed between 1781 - 1791 was once the summer residence of Tipu Sultan. Finally visit the Bull Temple believed to have been constructed in the 16th century has been carved out of a single granite block.
    Evening free to relax and unwind

    Our Recommendation: After the day tour, pay a visit to Brahmin’s coffee Café at Basavanagudi area, in the city for lip smacking filter coffee and authentic south India Street food. This cafe is a legend! Functional since 1967, they have the crispiest vade's and softest idly’s in the city. If you get the butter... It’s even better.
    Overnight stay

  • Bangalore – Chikmagalur by surface approx. (255 Kms / 5 ½ Hrs)

    Breakfast at hotel
    Drive to Chikmagalur –the coffee country, known as “coffee land” of Karnataka although Chikmagalur has tea plantation as well, it is widely known for the coffee plantations. The view from the hills is splendid, with views of the valleys and white blossoms of coffee plantation and streams. The tourists and visitors can take walk and stroll through the private coffee estates. The aroma and the whiff of coffee in the air is a treat for the senses and it’s a must visit for all the coffee lovers.

    Upon arrival check inn at your accommodation – Tata's Arabidacool Bungalow
    Indulge in the frills and fancies of plantation life near the misty hills of Chikmagalur at the Arabidacool Bungalow. This sprawling property is the perfect retreat from the chaos of city life. At 4000 feet above sea level, it's your chance to take a walk in the clouds.
    Overnight stay

  • In Chikmagalur

    This morning our Naturalist will take you for a guided coffee tour and nature walk through lush plantations and tell you all you want to know about Arabica and Robusta coffees. Be surprised to get an aroma of vanilla, cardamom or pepper – they are grown as inter-crops with coffee.
    Day at leisure for independent activities at bungalow or one may choose from our list of Recommendations:

    Activities at Bungalow - A beautiful green badminton court awaits you just outside the bungalow. For those of you who enjoy the indoors more, every bungalow is well stocked with board games. Or, you can curl up with a book in the reading room, where only the chirp of the bird breaks the peaceful quiet.

    Wildlife spotting at the Bhadra Tiger Reserve - A place to explore your wild side, the Bhadra Tiger Reserve is the perfect way to start your vacation at Chikmagalur. Spread across the districts of Chikmagalur and Shimoga with an area of 493.46 sq. Km, the Bhadra Tiger Reserve is a dense evergreen forest that transports you back to the times of the Maharajas. Here you will be able to spot many different types of Flora and Fauna including panthers, sambar, elephants, wild boars, porcupines, peacocks, parrots and woodpeckers. And if you are lucky you might just spot the magnificent Tiger. (Supplement charges applicable)

    Trekking up the Baba Budan Range - Stretching across the northern part of Chikmagalur are the lofty peaks of Baba BudanGiri. Named after the Sufi saint who made this his home in the 17th Century, the Baba Buda Range is an ideal place for all nature lovers to explore their adventurous side. Trekking up Mullayanagiri or any one of the other peaks around Kemmanagundi is as arduous as it is rewarding. Gaze at the night stars from here and feel transported into paradise. (Supplement charges applicable)

    Temple Tripping at Belur and Halebeedu - Chikmagalur is also home to ancient Hindu architecture and mythology showcasing the historic temples at Belur and Halebeedu from the spectacular Hoysala Empire. A visit to these intricately crafted temples with beautiful carvings, gives the tourist a taste of the fine craftsmanship that was prevalent in the bygone era. Other notable temple attractions around Chikmagalur include Chenakeshava Temple dating back to 1150 AD in Marle and the Sri Annapoorneshwari Temple in Horanadu, 100 km south of town.

    Take a splash in the Waterfalls - Hebbe and Kalahatti Falls, Kemmanagundi - The picturesque landscape of Chikmagalur wouldn’t be complete without the mention of its two beautiful waterfalls The Hebbe and Kalahatti Falls, located near Kemmanagundi. The waterfalls act as a perfect backdrop for a relaxing day after soaking in all the adventure of the coffee lands.

    Get back to your colonial bungalow and there's a crackling bonfire waiting for you.
    Delight in a dinner at the bungalow, the perfect finish to a wonderful day.
    Overnight stay

  • In Chikmagalur

    Full day to relax and unwind, You may choose from above activities to explore the place or spending some more time at coffee plantations
    Dinner & Overnight stay

  • Chikmagalur – Coorg by surface approx. (160 Kms / 4 Hrs)

    This day drive to Coorg – Kodagu or commonly referred to as Coorg means "dense forest on a steep hill" is known as the "Scotland of India". This mesmerizing hill station is situated at a height of 2000 meters above sea level. A land of misty hills, lush forests, acres and acres of coffee plantations, orange groves and breathtaking landscapes, Coorg is a quintessential holiday destination.

    Upon arrival check in at your accommodation - Cottabetta Bungalow
    Served as the home to director of Tata Coffee, is luxury redefined. Surrounded by sweeping vistas of the ever picturesque Kodagu Hills, this bungalow of yore is fit for royalty. With spacious rooms, cozy fireplaces, Victorian furniture and an overwhelming sense of serenity, the Cottabetta Bungalow takes you back to a bygone era. Just celebrated its 110th year anniversary, this Tata Coffee Heritage Bungalow is one of the most sought after holiday homes in Coorg.
    Dinner & Overnight stay

  • in Coorg

    Morning; hop into a plantation jeep and drive through the tranquil greens of our plantations. Our expert guide will tell you all you want to know about Arabica and Robusta coffees. If lady luck is smiling at you, a wild tusker might cross your path. To see a myriad species of birds, all you have to do is look up at the clear blue sky. Coorg is a birdwatcher's paradise having over 300 species of birds. At Plantation Trails, we bring the wild to you!
    Day at leisure to relax and unwind or you may indulge into one or two activities our recommended list of optional activities at the place:

    Golf at Coorg- there's another kind of green for those of you in Coorg – nothing like teeing off on a sunny day at the Tata Coffee's own 9 holes golf course to complete your break! The golf course and the sports centre is approx. 2 kms from the bungalow (Supplement charges applicable)

    Elephant Interaction at Dubare Elephant Camp - The Elephant Training Camp is your chance to get up close and personal with the gentle giants. Give them a good scrub while they wallow in a stream. Then, as a thank you, they plant you on their backs for a ride into the woods. Close by lies Cauvery Nisargadhama, where you can go white water rafting (The period for white water rafting is from July to September), and Valnoor – a great spot for anglers in pursuit of the Mahseer. (Supplement charges applicable)

    Picnic at Irpu and Abbey Falls- Coorg's favourite waterfalls, Irpu and Abbey are popular picnic venues. Gurgling and cascading down rocky hills, the gush of water with the chirping of birds and chattering of monkeys, is a welcome break from sounds of honking and fuming cars. While Abbey Falls is 7 km from Madikeri, Irpu is situated near the Nagarahole National Park. (Supplement charges applicable)

    Sightseeing in Madikeri - Coorg's largest town, this hill station has a lot to offer. Sights to see include Tipu Sultan's 18th Century Madikeri Fort, the sacred Omkareshwar Temple(a symphony of Gothic and Islamic architectural styles) and splendid sunrises and sunsets from Raja's Seat – as the name suggests, it was here that the kings of yore would sit and take in views of their kingdom.
    Dinner & Overnight stay

  • in Coorg

    Full day to relax and unwind
    You may choose from above activities to explore the place or spending some more time at coffee plantations
    Dinner & Overnight stay

  • Coorg – Bangalore by surface approx. (250 Kms / 5 ½ Hrs)

    After breakfast drive back to Bangalore
    Upon arrival check in at your accommodation
    Overnight stay

  • Depart Bangalore

    This day transfer intime from your hotel to airport to baord flight for onward Journey

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